Windsor Rocker Without Special Tools: Part 1

Take an elegant rocker off your bucket list

Synopsis: This Windsor rocker was inspired in part by the chairs of Sam Maloof, which is why the sculptural quality of the seat extends to the arms, crest, and spindles. Traditional chair-making techniques are updated to make the project more accessible to new chairmakers. The project requires a lathe with at least 18 in. between centers. The parts are steam-bent. This is part one of a two-part series.

I’ve been a professional woodworker for 20 years, but for the last 10, I’ve produced Windsor chairs exclusively, because they are comfortable, durable, beautiful, and fun to make. Rocking chairs are the most popular because they fit a unique niche in modern lives. The human body just isn’t meant to sit in one position for long periods. The easy motion of a…

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